Lai Ching-te‚ Taiwanʼs head-of-state since early summer is setting-up his first foreign trip. The journey includes planned stopovers in Hawaii and maybe Guam (both home to big US military bases) during his Pacific allies visit
Taiwanʼs diplomatic landscape shows challenges: only 12 countries keep formal ties with Taipei‚ while three Pacific nations — Marshall Islands Tuvalu and Palau remain key partners. Earlier this year Nauru switched its support to Beijing which shows the regions changing dynamics
The timing of Lais trip comes as US leadership changes hands. The current administration backs Taiwanʼs defense but the next oneʼs stance isnt clear yet. The US keeps being Taiwans main supporter even without formal diplomatic ties: providing weapons and political backing
China doesnt like these kinds of trips. When Tsai Ing-wen‚ the previous leader went abroad last spring Beijing started war-games near Taiwan. Similar actions happened after Lai Ching-teʼs Paraguay visit last summer (when he was vice-president)
The planned stops follow a pattern — Taiwan leaders often use US territory visits to meet friendly politicians and give talks. However sources say this time its gonna be more low-key than usual. The details are still being worked-out by both sides